The Violet Burning
Genre: Rock/Worship
Official Web Site
The Violet Burning Bibliography: (click on each album cover to view tracks and The Violet Burning lyrics)
The Violet Burning Biography "Come on! Show 'em what we've got," declares Michael J. Pritzl in the opening line of the record, for the future is now. After making a decade worth of critically acclaimed records and being credited for writing the original modern worship record, Michael has written his greatest record to date. With help from co-producer, Andrew Prickett, he has crafted a sonic work of art that retains all the integrity and emotion that has built him a loyal underground following worldwide while at the same time he has polished the sound, tightened the structure, and has lifted the lyrical veil. This Is The Moment for The Violet Burning and things may never be the same again.
"What one portrays in his art; is the totality of life. The Christian is the really free man - he is free to have imagination. This is our heritage. Our imagination should fly beyond the stars." - Francis Schaeffer
Michael has always embraced this heritage. Growing up in Southern California, Michael was raised in and around the Los Angeles punk scene. Although Michael was exposed to religion, as a rebellious punk he refused to believe in God simply because someone else did or said he should. One day, as with Saul, God showed Himself. "It was like a flood out of heaven and all I wanted to do was worship Him." A desire that would continue to be the driving force in his life for years to come. Remembering his older sister had a cheap guitar stashed away in her closet; he found it and made it his own. And there, in his bedroom in Huntington Beach, California, he learned to play. More importantly perhaps, he eventually began to write his own songs. With a process that continues to this day he put his transparent heart on display with, at times, reckless abandon. In the early years, his true gift was more difficult to appreciate from the outside. Michael remembers, "My voice was awful. My father would even 'hush' me in church so I wouldn't embarrass myself with my terrible singing."
Soon after finding his voice he received his calling. He started what would be one of the great and influential Christian rock groups of all time, The Violet Burning. Touring the United States and Europe, The Violets have established themselves as a great live band that can deliver a moving experience, both on the stage and in the studio, that few can deny. However, that was the past and now with This Is The Moment, The Violet Burning has created the future.
Influenced by Leonard Cohen, The Beatles, New Order, and Spiritualized, the record inspires on many levels. From the old time hymn Lord, Rescue Me to the new wave sound of Lovesick. From the lyrics of Manta Rae, "I'm gonna climb on board the Manta Rae, gonna sail right into that holy place," to the dreamy pace of Slowa. New sounds and old sounds, drum machines, acoustic guitars, and rock 'n' roll. From start to finish This is the Moment is the beauty, the spirit, and the soul that is The Violet Burning. Recorded and performed by Michael Pritzl and Andrew Prickett with help on drums by Sam West (Stavesacre) and Herb Grimaud Jr. on bass, Michael likes to refer this as a super-group, "I feel so fortunate that musicians of this caliber understand what TVB is all about, and believe in it enough to give their time. This is our greatest recording yet, and these guys have a lot to do with it." The current live line-up includes a mixture of Sam West, Daryl Dawson, as well as Doug Heckman and Matt Payne (All Star United) on occasion.
Michael Pritzl has come a long way since he inherited his first guitar. Looking back he says, "I have been able to travel throughout America and Europe sharing the gospel. It is truly humbling when I look back on what God has done in my life." Playing wherever invited The Violet's and Michael feel blessed to spread the gospel of Christ and do it while playing rock 'n' roll. "Once you figure out that music is a gift given to worship God, that's really all you can do. And if this music touches the heart of God and blesses the church then I've done what I've been put on this earth to do."
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